August 14 and 15, 2024.
Hyde Park’s NRT trail system (over 20 miles) consists of trails in three National Historic Sites (Vanderbilt Mansion, FDR Home, and Eleanor Roosevelt), a state park, three town parks, and a nature preserve. All of them are considered “a” National Recreation Trail.
My LifeQuest includes hiking all the NRTs. When the NRT is a single trail, which is most of the time, I hike the whole thing. When it is an entire trail network, I hike most (not all) of the miles.
The Hyde Park system’s online maps listed specific trails at each site as part of its network.
I described the trails at the Park Sites in their respective posts. Here are the others…with the exception of Hackett Hill’s 1.1-mile loop. When I approached the trailhead, a teenager/young college kid told me to leave since no one is allowed in the park when camp kids are there. There was no sign about this at the parking lot, and that seems like a weird rule since the trails go away from where all the kids were congregated, but when I called the local recreation area they confirmed that the park is closed when camp is in session.
Pinewoods Park has a 0.7-mile loop blazed orange that goes through the woods and by a river. Well-maintained and easy to follow.
The start of the 1.3-mile loop into Winnakee Nature Preserve. Completely overgrown with head-high vegetation. The parking lot is abandoned and grassy – I parked in the back of a local store instead. I did not venture more than a tenth of a mile since I no longer do trails where I have to whack my way through head-high vegetation. Unless, of course, I am on a thru-hike. Then I’ll deal with it (while whining). Some of these NRTs were designated decades ago and are no longer maintained. Or maybe this is one simply better visited in fall/winter.
Mills-Norrie SP. did a 6+ mile loop using Blue, White, & Yellow Trails. Nice park, well-maintained.
Dominican Overlook Trail. Long trail through the woods. Felt pointless.
Hopeland Area. My favorite. Lovely meadow/woods loop.
